Independent Fee Estimates

Professional Engineering, Architectural and Planning consultant services are procured through a qualifications based selection (QBS) process. This process requires separate budgeting and negotiation steps than most other types of procurement for services.

By definition "The independent fee estimate is a tool used by procuring officials to assist in determining a fair and reasonable price."

Independent Fee Estimates are required by the FAA for Planning, Design, and Construction Management Services contracts that exceed $100,000 or is the first project conducted under a multi-year or multi-project agreement.﻿

﻿The current version of FAA Advisory Circular 150/5100-14 - Architectural, Engineering, and Planning Consultant Services for Airport Grant Projects, discusses this process for procurement of professional services and Indepentent Fee Estimates (IFEs) in detail.

IFE Use and Experience

Independent Fee Estimates are confidential reports for airport sponsors by a professional, independent third party reviewer that analyzes proposed consultant engineering, design, planning, and construction management costs per FAA guidelines. Our IFE report assists the airport sponsor in negotiating a fair and reasonable fee for the services being provided.

Cost Estimates and Cost Analysis

Although “cost estimating” and “cost analysis” are often used interchangeably, cost estimating is a specific activity within cost analysis. Cost analysis is a powerful tool, because it requires a rigorous and systematic analysis that results in a more defined understanding of an overall program's management when applying resources and mitigating risks.

Cost estimating involves collecting and analyzing historical data and applying quantitative models, techniques, tools, and databases to predict a program’s future cost. More simply, cost estimating combines science and art to predict the future cost of something based on known historical data that are adjusted to reflect new materials, technology, software languages, and development teams.